Wheeled toy steered by remote control



July 25, 1939. R. I oHR ET Al. 2,167,245

WHEELED TOY STEERED BY REMOTE CONTROL Filed Jan. 3, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS July-25, 1939. R. Lol-1R Er Al. 251571245 WHEELED TOY STEERED BY REMOTE CONTROL 4Filed Jan. s, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 2 M4 /zl 5 INVENTOR l RICHARD NELSON CARVER RAYMOND LOHR ATTORNEYS Patented July 25, 1939 PATENT OFFICE WHEELEDI TOY` STEERED BYA REMOTE CONTROL Raymond Lohr and Richard Nelson Carver, Erie, Pa., assignors to Louis Marx & Company, Inc., NewYork, N; Y., a. corporation of'New York 'Application January 3, 193s, serialfNo'. A183,070

` -18 omims. (o1. 4.6-210) c' m 4This inventionrelates to*wheeledtoyaparticm larly self-propelled toys, and more .especially to such toys arranged for steering byremote control through a light string.

The primary object of the vinvention isto generally improve wheeled toys, ,particularly by arranging the same tobe steered under `the control of a personwalkin'g along with the toy, so that the toy may be operated in an erratic and amusing manner. If desired, the toymay be made Vto simulate an animal, say a pet dog with a string extending from a simulated collar, and acting as a leash. This greatlyenhances the realism of the toy because the toy runs.. alongunder kits own power, andmay .therefo-re run ahead of the child playing withthe same `as vthough it were a live dog. The,toy may be steeredby a steering wheel normally biased in one direction by a Very light spring so thata. slight tension on the cord or simulated leash causesA the toyjto turn in the other direction, ,and without .stopping `or interfering with the continued Lrunningfof the' toy a lone the grounds;

Still another objeot;o he ,invention is toprovide the toy with means for xingthe steering of the toy in any desired direction, and to compactly dispose of the controlstring so that the toy may be operated as 1an ordinary wheeled toy whenever it is not desired to use the remote control steering feature.

To the accomplishment of, the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the wheeled toy. and driv` ing and steering elements therefor, and. their relation one to the, other,y as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and soughtto be dened in :the claims. Thespeciii-4 cation is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fi'g. l is a partially sectioned side elevation of a toy automobile embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the forward portion thereof, showing the steering mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken in the plane of the line 3-3 of.Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken in the plane of the line 4--IIofFig.,3; r l

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned side elevation of a toy simulating a Scottie dog, and, embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a section taken in ythe plane of the line 6-6-of Fig. 5, and is explanatory ofI the steering mechanism;

Fie. Tis @partially sectioned'side.clevthf of,

armodii'led form of. toy automobile embodying features ofthe invention; 1

; Fig; 8T is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line. 8-8 of Fig. 7, and is explanatory ofthe steering mechanism; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through the steer.- ing mechanism taken in the plane of the line {L -9 of Fig. 8.. a f Referring to the drawings, the several species of the-invention all have in common a driving wheel D driven by a suitable motor such as a conventionalspring motor M. The toys further comprise steering means such as a steering wheel S, which is normally biased in one direction. A control cord C extends from the toy. upwardly far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with thetoy. v This control string is operatively connected to the steering wheel S in such a manner that a light tension on the string turns the steeringwheel awayV from the biased or normalposition, thus ,changing the direction ofmovement ,of the toy.A A comparatively small movement ofthe string is enough to change the directionv ofthe toy, and this movement is relatively unnoticeable to observers watching the operation of Ythe toy. yThe operation is therefore puzzling to the, uninitiated, and this increases Y the amusement afforded by the toy.

Considering the toys in greater detail, and referring first to the toy automobile shown in Figs. l through 4, the toy comprises a body I2 which may be'formed, of sheet metal in accordance'with conventional practice. The driving wheels D may also be made in accordance with lconventional-practice, thesel wheels being secured to a suitable axlelll passing through the frame I6 of a conventional spring motor, said motor comprising the winding stem I8 having a spiral ribbon spring connected thereto. The winding stem is geared to the axle I4 by a conventional train of step-up gearing.

The steering wheels S arefreely rotatable on stub yaxles 20 which in turn project outwardly from king pins122 received between the top and bottomA partsZll and 26 of an axle housing28. Arms Sil aresecured to and 'extend rearwardly from the king pins 22, and these arms are connected gto onaanother by a suitable tie bar or cross-link 32. The -wheels are steered by oscillaltion of a vertical spindle 34 which carries an arm 36 the rear end of which is pivotally connected to link 32- at 38. Spindle 34carries a worm gear 40. The cord C is connected at its inner end 42 to a drum 44 on; which a part of the cord is normally wound, This drum is V.Secured to a CD l generally horizontal spindle 46 extending longitudinally of the toy. The forward end is journalled at 48, and the rear end on a bracket 50. A worm 52 is carried near the forward end of spindle 46 and meshes with the worm gear 40, thus controlling the steering of the toy. A thin, light spring wire 54 is coiled about shaft 46 and is connected at one end to the drum 44 and at the other' end to the vehicle body, as for example, on bracket 56. This spring turns` the drum in one direction, thus biassing the steering wheels to the extreme limit of movement on one side. The angle of the steering wheels may be limited by appropriate stops 58 Vassociated with the steering linkage, or, if desired, .a bead 60 may be clamped on the string C to limit the inward movement of the string. In the present case a guide tube 62 is provided between the opening in the roof of the auto and the drum, but this is not essential.

It will be understood that the toy is preliminarily energized by winding the motor stem I8 with a suitable key. The toy is then set on the ground and permitted to run, the cord C meanwhile extending upwardly as is indicated by the broken line C. The cord is held in the hand of a child, who walks .along with the toy, and who readily guides or steers the toy in one direction or another by lightly tensioning the cord. The biassing spring 54 is purposely made very light so that it will not interfere with the tractive effort of the driving motor and the normal movement of the toy along the ground.

Inasmuch as a child may wish to dispense with the remote control at times, and inasmuch as the toy would then steer in only o ne direction, additional means may be provided to fix the .steering Wheels in any desired position. In the present case, a cleat 64 is formed on one side of the toy, and the string is simply turned about the 'cleat with the steering wheels pointed as] desired,` for example, straight ahead. The remainder of the string may be disposed of by simply putting the same inside the toy body through the window 66. In the present case a special spool 68 has been provided, this spool being detachably applied to the toy by pushing a tapered projection 10 on the spool through a mating opening in the toy body, as for example, in the running board. The excess Vcord is wound about spool 68 and is thus conveniently disposed of.

Referring now to the toy shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the body 'I0 simulates a. Scottie dog. It runs on a pair of rear driving Wheels l2 Which are substantially concealed by the body. Thewheels are mounted on an axle 14 geared in conventional fashion by a trainof step-up gearing leading from the Winding stem.'|6 of a conventional spring motor carried in a motor frame 18. It will be understood that a spiral ribbon spring is connected at one end in the usual way to winding stem 16. One plate of the motor frame maybe extended forwardly as is indicated'at to carry the steering mechanism.

The toy is steered by a single small steering whee1'82 projecting through a circular opening E4 in the bottom 86 of the toy. VWheel 82 is freely rotatable on an axle 88 formed integrally with a vertical steering spindle V00. This is journalled in bearings 92 bent sidewardly from plateV I from the neck of the animal. illusion, a simulated collar may be provided, or Ythe toy may be painted to simulate a collar,

secured to the drum at |04, and the other end of which is secured to the motor frame at |06. The inner end of the control cord C is, of course, secured to the drum just as was previously described, and a part of the cord is Wound on the drum by the biassing action of spring |02. The cord passes through appropriate guide eyelets |06 and I0, the latter preferably being so located that the cord will simulate a leash extending To heighten this this being indicated by the dotted lines I2.

If desired, the action of the toy may be increased by making the head |4 movable. In the present case, ,the head is made separately from the body, and is' mounted at the upper end of spindle 90, as is indicated at ||6. To this end the surfaces H8 separating the head and body are made Vperpendicular to spindle 90, and are preferably-made circular in outline, so that the head and body rwill t accurately together even though thehead is turned in one direction or another. It Will be understood that in operation, the toy runs along somewhat ahead of the child, the latter holding the cord or leash. The toy is steered erratically in one direction or another, depending upon the tension applied to the cord by the child. The head turns and looks in the direction inwhich the toy is steered. For very small children, the string may be marked to aid steering, as by a center mark ||5. End marks and ||9 may also be used. The mark ||1 may be a bead for motion-limiting purposes.

If desired, further action may be given to the toy' by oscillating a part thereof under drive of the motor M. In the present case the toy is provided with a tail |20 oscillatably mounted at |22 and having a cam follower |24 connected thereto. The cam follower cooperates with a cylindri- 4 cal cam|26 mounted on a shaft|28 and geared to thedriving train Vof motor M 4by means of any suitable intermediate gearing. -In this way the Vtail iscaused to Wag back andA forth asthe toy runs along.

Coming now to the toy illustrated in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, this vtoy simulates an automobile equipped with a radio antenna. The body |30 may be of generally conventional type. The rear wheels D are conventional driving wheels'geared in the usual manner to a spring drivingy motor the windingA stem of which is indicated at |32. The front wheels |34 are mounted on stub axles |36 carried on and oscillatable about king pins |36.

Steering arms |40 extend forwardly from the king pins 'and are connected vby a vertically disposedplateV |42 acting as a tie bar-or cross link. 'Ihis plate has three lupstanding fingersor pins, the end fingers '|44 passing upwardly through holes in arms |40, and the center finger |46 passing upwardly through a hole in a bell crank lever |48. This lever is pivoted at 150, and has a side- Wardly and then upwardly extending arm |52 to which the forward end of a wire link |54 isconnected. Y

The simulated radio antenna |56 is pivoted at |53, and* this forms a bellcrank'lever-the other arm |60 of which projects downwardly inside the toy body. 'Ihe rear end of link '7| 54 is connected to arm |60. The arm is normally biassed to forward position by alight b'iassing spring |62. In this Way the Wheelsar'e lnormally turned-toward one side, and -theantenna-normally assumes the broken lineY position -f |56. The control fstring C is tiedto-the rear end of antenna spirit of the invention defined in the following in one direction, a non-resilient, highly flexible lss at eye,y H54. It win be understod. matr-the string extends upwardly and is held by thechild;

who walks along with the toy, all as previously described. A Aslight movement of .the string upf' Wardly or, downwardly changes the steering of the toy and causes the same to run in any desired direction. f l

It is believed that the mode of constructing and using, as well as the many advantages of the in-y vention, will be apparent fromthe foregoing detailed description thereof.' Itwill also be .apr

parent that while we have shown and described theinvention in several preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed, without departing from the claims.

We claim:v 1. A wheeled toy comprising steering means, means normally lightly biasing the steering means fibrous string extending from the toy, said string being operatively connected to saidA steering means in such manner that pull tension applied to the string turns the steering means in the opposite direction.

normally lightly biasing the steering wheel in one direction, a non-resilient, highly ilexible brous string extending from the toy far enough to be lheld in the hand of a person Walking along with the toy, said string being operatively connected :to saidsteering means in such manner that pull tension applied to the string turns the steering means in the opposite direction against the resilient means. i f

4. VA wheeled toy comprising a steering wheel,

.da drum, a string extending from said drum, light resilient means vfor turning^ thedrum in one direction-in'order-to wind a part of the string onto the drum, and gearing connected between said drum and said steering wheel, whereby said wheel is'normally biasedin one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

5. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a driving wheel, a motor geared thereto, a steering wheel, a drum, a string extending from said drum, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, gearing connected between said drum and said steering wheel, whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

6. A self-propelled Wheeled toy comprising a pair of driving Wheels, a spring motor geared thereto, a steering wheel, a druma string eX- tending from said .drum far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, mechanism including a worm and gearconnected between said'druiii and said steeringwheel, whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

7. A self-propelled'wheeled toy comprising a driving wheel, a motor geared to said driving wheel, a steering wheel, means normally lightly biasing the steering means in one direction, a non-resilient, highly flexible fibrous string extending from the toy far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with the toy,

' said string being operatively connected to said steering means in such manner that pull tension applied to the string turns the steering means in the opposite direction, and optionally usable means to fix the steering means in any desired direction.

8. A wheeled toy comprising a steering wheel, a drum, a non-resilient, highly flexible fibrous' string extending from said drum far enough to be held in the hand of 'a person Walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the `string onto the drum, gearing connected between said drum and said wheel whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction butmay be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string, and optionally usable means to fix the Wheel in any desired steering position.

9. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a toy body, a pair of rear driving wheels, a motor Y geared thereto, a steering wheel, a drum rotatably mounted in the toy, a string extending from said drum far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the ,drum inone direction in order to wind a part'of the stringonto the drum,

gearing connected between said drum and said front wheel whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string, and means on the toy body by which the string may be secured in partially unwound positionv in order to hold the front wheel in any desired steering position. H

10. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a toy body simulating an automobile, a pair of rear driving wheels, a spring motor geared thereto, a pair of front steering wheels, a drum rotatably mounted with its axis extending longitudinallyof the toy, a string extending from said drumthrough the top of the toy far enough to i be heldin the hand of a person walking along with-said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the-drum, mechanism including a worm and gear connected between said drumand said front wheels whereby said wheels are. normally biased in one direction but may be,1

turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string, and a spool mounted on the toy on which the string may be wound when the string is not being used for remote control.

11. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising ai body simulating an animal, a driving wheel, a motor geared thereto, a steering wheel, a nonresilient, highly flexible iibrous string simulat` ing a leash extending far enough to be held in',V

"tending from said drum, light resilient means for 12. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a body simulating an animal, a driving wheel, a motor geared thereto, a steering wheel, a drum, a string simulating a leash extending from said drum far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, gearing between said drum and said steering wheel, whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

13. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a body simulating an animal, a pair of driving wheels, a spring motor geared thereto, the head of said animal being pivotally related to the body of the animal, a steering wheel, means operatively connecting the steering wheel and the head so that the head is turned when the steering wheel is turned, a drum, a string exturning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, gearing between said drum andsaid steering wheel, whereby said'wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

14. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a body simulating an animal, a pair of dri-ving wheels, a spring motor geared thereto, a part of vsaid toy body movably mounted thereon and connected to the spring motor for movement thereby, a steering wheel, a drum.' a string simulating a leash extending from said drum far enough to be -held in the hand of a person walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, gearing between said drum and said steering wheel, whereby said wheel is normally biased `in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

15. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a body simulating a dog, a pair of driving wheels,

.i a spring motor geared thereto, the head of said dog being pivotally relatedvto the body: of the dog, a steering wheel, means operatively connecting the steering wheel and the head so that the head is turned when the steering wheel is turned, a drum, a string simulating a leash extending from said drum far enough to be held in the hand oi a person walking along with said toy, light resilient means for turning the drum in one direction in order to wind a part of the string onto the drum, mechanism between said drum and said steering wheel, whereby said wheel is normally biased in one direction but may be turned in the other direction by a light pull on the string.

16. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a toy body, a driving wheel, a motor geared to said driving wheel, a steering wheel, means pivotally mounted on the toy to act as a steering control lever, linkage connecting the inner end of said lever to the steering Wheel, light resilient means normally biasing the steering wheel and lever in one direction, and a non-resilient, highly exible brous control string attached to the end of the lever, whereby pull tension on said string turns the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

17. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a toy body having a simulated radio antenna, a driving wheel, a motor geared to said driving wheel, steering means, means pivotally mounting the simulated antenna on the toy to act as a steering control lever, linkage connecting the inner end of said lever to the steering means, means normally biasing the steering means and antenna in one direction, and a non-resilient, highly flexible iibrous control string attached to the end of the antenna and extending upwardly far enough to be held in the hand of a person Walking along with the toy, whereby pull tension on said string turns the steering means in the opposite direction.

18. A self-propelled wheeled toy comprising a toy body simulating an automobile having a simulated radio antenna extending over the roof thereof, a driving wheel, a spring motor geared to said driving wheel, a steering wheel, means pivotally mounting the simulated antenna on the toy to act as a steering control lever, linkage within the toy connecting the inner end of said lever to the steering wheel, light resilient means normally biasing the steering wheel in one direction and moving the antenna to a position directly overlying the roof of the toy, and a non-resilient, highly flexible fibrous control string attached to the end of the antenna and extending upwardly far enough to be held in the hand of a person walking along with the toy, whereby pull tension on said string turns the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

RAYMOND LOI-1R. RICHARD NELSON CARVER. 

